Alina’s precollege experience: Academic growth and expanded friendships
Alina Savagian-DeMoss, in purple on left, co-presents to classmates during her summer 2025 Badger Precollege course, Neuroscience: From Fundamentals to AI-Powered Insights.
When Alina Savagian-DeMoss first heard about the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Badger Precollege in eighth grade, she was already thinking ahead.
“I had expressed interest in going to UW–Madison for college,” she said. “My parents were looking into the classes I needed to take in high school when they came across the program.”
A sophomore at Merrill High School in Merrill, Wisconsin, Savagian-DeMoss is returning for another summer, enrolling in the Accelerated Learning Program (ALP) course in forensic science. Her decision to return to Badger Precollege in 2026 is about more than academics — it’s also about reconnecting with a community.
“The biggest reason I want to return is because this is the year my friends from STEP (Summer Transitional Enrichment Program for middle school students) will be able to go to ALP with me,” she said. “I can’t wait to see them again.”
A different type of learning experience
Savagian-DeMoss’s first experience with precollege sparked her passion for forensic science.
“In STEP, we examined DNA, hair, blood and fingerprint evidence to figure out what happened in a crime scene,” she said. “Even almost two years later, I still find the subject fascinating and hope to go into pathology.”
The experience helped her discover what she enjoyed and how she liked to learn.
“My regular school experience doesn’t offer such advanced or diverse classes,” she explained. “At Badger Precollege, you can really focus on one subject and ask questions to someone who’s knowledgeable about it.”
Badger Precollege offers a variety of summer academic programs for students completing grades 4–12. These experiences allow students to dive deeper into subjects they’re passionate about while exploring campus life, building independence and meeting peers from across the state and beyond.
Alina Savagian-DeMoss, after a piano competition in May 2025.
Beyond the classroom
Savagian-DeMoss said that, in addition to getting immersed in interesting topics, one of the most meaningful aspects of Badger Precollege is the independence it offers.
“My favorite part of ALP was the freedom,” she said. “There are dozens of activities, and you get to choose what you want to do during free time, as long as you have a friend with you.”
From spontaneous trips for ice cream at Babcock Dairy Store to organized field trips to water parks, Badger Precollege summer programs encourage students to explore campus and enjoy social time with friends.
Even after a few years, some moments still stand out: “My most memorable experience was the end-of-camp dance,” Savagian-DeMoss said. “It was a wonderful experience, and I had a lot of fun with my friends.”
She values the friendships she’s forged in precollege programming.
“I met a group of friends during STEP three years ago that I’m still texting with today,” she said. “They’re from all over Wisconsin, and I doubt I would have met them otherwise.”
‘Very easy to make friends’
As Savagian-DeMoss prepares to return to Badger Precollege, she is eager to take a deeper dive into the world of forensic science: “What interests me most is putting together pieces of a situation,” she said. “I also really like the biology side of it.”
She is also excited to be back on campus this summer to reconnect with her long-distance friends and meet new ones.
“I expect to meet people from different backgrounds,” she said. “And I know I’ll have more freedom than I do in my day-to-day life.”
Outside of school, Savagian-DeMoss enjoys creative pursuits like piano, vocal lessons, digital art and participating in her school’s gaming club. Her interests reflect the same curiosity and openness that Badger Precollege encourages.
“Precollege is a wonderful experience; it’s incredibly fun,” she said. “There are so many activities, and it’s easy to make friends, even if you aren’t super social.”
She also emphasized the program’s supportive environment for families. With many students spending multiple nights away from home for the first time, transitioning into a college environment can be daunting, but Badger Precollege makes it easier in a low-risk, safe environment.
Badger Precollege’s summer 2026 academic programs are open for registration. Registration for most programs closes May 1, while registration for Summer Music Clinic and Summer Arts Clinic closes May 15. For questions, reach out to Badger Precollege staff by emailing info@precollege.wisc.edu.
Post written by Jakob Moe.
